Wiradjuri language one of many First Languages to be taught through new 'Gambay Map'

First Languages Australia launched the Gambay Map which provides audio and visual learning tools on indigenous cultures across the country.

Wagga's Wiradjuri people have held the sharing and learning of their language and culture in high esteem for many years, and say the new tool is just another step in the right direction.

"My dream is to have Wiradjuri language taught in all schools on Wiradjuri country, starting in primary school, and people like myself can get in and teach it," Aunty Gail Manderson said.

Aunty Gail teaches the language at schools in Turvey Park and Ashmont, and said resources such as the new Gambay Map allowed the indigenous Australian culture to be shared in all its forms.

"Australia does have a black history, and it's time it came out," she said.

Wiradjuri elder Uncle Ray Woods was also supportive of the tool, but said Wagga had already taken huge steps on its own towards sharing the first nations culture.

"Stan Grant and the late Aunty Flo both really pushed to start a Wiradjuri culture and language graduate certificate at CSU in Wagga, and with the guidance of the council of elders, we can now teach that to everyone here," he said.

"But along with teaching, there's a big responsibility to make sure the language isn't being taken away from the land, and that it keeps it's cultural value, because the language and the land go hand in hand."

Uncle Ray was in the first class to take the certificate course, and said from his initial cohort of 18 people, class sizes have grown to about 70 people.

"Being able to have this course and similar language teaching resources gives us the opportunity to share our knowledge, and for people learning it to take that knowledge back home and share it with their own families," he said.

"People are always scared of the unknown, but this helps break that down, it's empowering and you can take away so many values from it."

The Wiradjuri language is a part of Uncle Ray's DNA, he said, and as such, is of great importance.

"It's who I am, it's my identity," he said.

"My elders, starting years and years ago, have really pushed to make sure this language has been maintained - it was once taken away from most of us, but it was still there in pockets, and we need to keep it alive."